ARC REVIEW: Rough Terrain by Annabeth Albert

My Review

Canaan Finley has been crushing on Navy SEAL Renzo Bianchi since Renzo first started coming into the smoothie shop Canaan works at. When Canaan realizes that Renzo is interested in guys he takes a chance and asks him out. Renzo really enjoys hanging out with Canaan for the night but Renzo has some relationship issues he’s sensitive about and he worries that getting in deeper with Canaan will just ruin what could be a great friendship. When Canaan asks Renzo to be his pretend boyfriend for a camping trip Renzo goes; but everything changes when they become trapped by a flash flood. Now they must confront their changing feelings and whether or not they can be together long term.

Rough Terrain was bittersweet since it’s the last book in the Out of Uniform series and I’ve grown really attached to these characters. But either way, Annabeth Albert has written a wonderful and emotional romance about two people who seem like opposites but actually work perfectly together. Canaan loves life and he embraces all parts of it but lately it’s been pretty tough — he’s finishing his degree, working, and taking care of his grandfather. He might have a free-wheeling past in a rock band but Canaan is ready to settle down and get a steady job. I really loved Canaan and how enthusiastic he is about life not to mention how incredibly sweet he is with his grandfather.

Renzo was also really enjoyable and I loved the dichotomy between his confidence and his awkwardness about sex. You see Renzo has a bit of an issue…he’s larger than your average guy, down below, and sex hasn’t always been easy for him or his partners. But Canaan is open and frank about sex and what he likes and he slowly starts to show Renzo that sex can be fun and great as long as both parties communicate. Renzo is a natural born protector and he’s used to being the hero in his family. But that’s also put a lot of pressure on him to be perfect and strong and the best he can be.

Together and individually, Canaan and Renzo are great characters and I loved reading about them. Their chemistry is off the charts but they’re also really sweet together. There’s plenty of obstacles for their relationship but they aren’t insurmountable as long as Renzo can learn to trust that Canaan is in it for the long term. I’m sad to say goodbye to all these characters but it’s been a wonderful journey.

ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review

4 stars – it was enjoyable

Book Details

The camping trip from hell may be the first stop on the road to happily-ever-after in Rough Terrain, the final book in Annabeth Albert’s critically acclaimed, fan-favorite Out of Uniform series.

Navy SEAL Renzo Bianchi has a soft spot for Canaan Finley, and not only because the man makes a mean smoothie. He’s the first guy to get Renzo’s motor revving in a long time. But when he agrees to Canaan’s insane charade—one all-access fake boyfriend, coming right up—he never expects more than a fling.

Creating a hot Italian SEAL boyfriend to save face seemed like a good idea…until his friends called Canaan’s bluff. Now he’s setting off into the woods with the very man who inspired his deception, and Canaan is not the outdoorsy type. The sparks are already flying when a flash flood separates them from their group, leaving Renzo and Canaan very much trapped…very much alone in the wilderness.

Working together to come up with a plan for survival is sexier than either of them expects. But back in the real world, being a couple is bringing its own set of hazards…